Manuals

Freestyle Edge

SmartSet App (Windows & Mac)

Lift Kit

FAQ

What color switch should I get?

If this is your first time experiencing mechanical switches, we recommend going with the MX Brown which is the most popular switch for gaming and typing.

Can I upgrade my keycaps?

Yes! The Edge uses standard Cherry MX keycaps so any 3rd party Cherry-compatible keycap should work. Note that due to the Edge’s compact split layout there are some unique keys: Right Ctrl and Right Shift keys are 1.75x wide (substitute a Caps Lock key) and the space bars are 3.5x wide (We are not aware of any 3rd party 3.5x space bars).

How do I remove the keycaps?

You can purchase a keycap removal tool from us or on Amazon, or just use a folded paperclip.

How do I access the SmartSet App?

Open the v-Drive on a Windows computer (SmartSet + F8). Then locate the “FS Edge” removable drive in File Explorer and double-click the App. When you are finished, close the App and then close the v-Drive (SmartSet + F8) to implement your changes.

What is NKRO?

NKRO allows the Edge to register all simulateneous key presses so you never miss a key.

How do I increase the speed of my macros?

Activate Macro Speed Mode (SmartSet + F9) and then select 1-9 for the speed, or 0 to disable macros.

Where is the numeric keypad?

The Freestyle Edge was specifically designed as a “tenkeyless” keyboard to bring your mouse in closer to your body. If you require a numeric 10-key, you can program one into the embedded layer using the SmartSet App. Open the v-Drive (SmartSet + F8), launch the SmartSet App, click the Special Actions button in the Remap Section, then select “Numeric Keypad”. You can choose from the right or left side of the keyboard. Access the keypad by using the Fn key to enter the “embedded” layer.

What’s the best configuration for typing and gaming?

Whether your typing or gaming, you want your hands at shoulder width and wrists at a neutral angle.

Is there a different way to access the embedded Fn layer?

If you would prefer to temporarily “shift” on the embedded layer use the SmartSet App or Direct Programming to assign the “Fn Shift” special action to any key on the keyboard.

Can I disable backlighting?

Yes, just tap the LED key in the lower right corner of the Game Bank. To permanently disable backlighting enter Backlight Mode (SmartSet + LED Key) and tap “0” to disable all the full-size LEDs, or tap “P” for Pitch Black mode to disable all of the static indicator LEDs as well.

Can I disable onboard programming shortcuts?

Yes, use the Program Lock command (SmartSet + Shift + L) to temporarily disable the 4 programming keys. Use the same shortcut to re-enable onboard programming.

How do I access the multimedia controls?

Tap the Fn key to toggle on the embedded function layer. The multimedia keys are then accessed from F1-F6 when the Fn layer is active.

Does the Edge perform mouse clicks?

Yes, the Edge can perform both single and double mouse clicks via the Special Actions menu in the SmartSet App or Direct Programming.

Can I run the SmartSet App on a Linux machine?

Yes, many Linux users have reported successfullly using WineHQ to run the Windows version of the App. Note: WineHQ and other such programs are 3rd party applications which have not been tested by Kinesis and are not supported. Use at your own risk.

Does the Edge work with non-US keyboard drivers?

Basic keyboard usage and onboard programming should work with non-US keyboard drivers, but the SmartSet App requires that you are using the standard US keyboard driver.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

Keyboard not working during boot-up

NKRO mode may cause boot-up problems with certain kinds of computers/motherboards. If you notice the keyboard is not responsive during boot, disable NKRO mode prior to restarting your computer.

F4 Key Not Working

Download the latest firmware to fix a bug that disabled the F4 key when Game Mode is enabled.

SmartSet App won’t launch

The SmartSet App is radically different from typical gaming keyboard software. The App does not get installed on your computer and will only run when the App is launched from the keyboard’s v-Drive. If you try to run it directly from your computer you will receive an error message.

Keyboard not updating after using the SmartSet App

To preview your changes use the Refresh Shortcut (SmartSet + Layout). If you are done customizing, close the SmartSet App and then close the v-Drive (SmartSet + F8).

Mouse actions are not working

Mouse actions only work when the v-Drive is closed.

SmartSet App for Mac damaged

Before copying the SmartSet App to the v-Drive, run it first from your computer to “verify” it.

Multimedia keys are not working

Multimedia actions only work when the v-Drive is closed

Mac Keyboard Setup Assistant keeps popping up

Follow the instructions to complete the Setup Assistant.

Dvorak or Colemak layout support

Use the Special Actions menu in the SmartSet App to create a Dvorak or Colemak layout with a single click.

Reformatting the v-Drive

If the v-Drive becomes corrupted, it may become necessary to reformat the v-Drive. The v-Drive must be formatted in the FAT-16 file system so please contact tech@kinesis.com for step-by-step instructions. Do not attempt to reformat the drive yourself.

Linking cable getting twisted

Place the right key module on the desktop and rotate the left module until the kinks are removed.

Drive eject error message (Mac)

The v-Drive was specifically designed to not require any specific eject protocol for Mac OS X. You may ignore these warnings.

Drive error (Windows)

If you Direct Program a .txt file on the v-Drive on a Windows computer it is necessary to first eject the drive before closing by right-clicking “FS Edge” in File Explorer and selecting “eject”. If you experience this warning, follow the Windows on-screen prompts to repair this harmless drive error.

Macro playback errors

If you are having problems with non-text macro playback, try using the SmartSet App or Direct Programming to assign a multiplay value of “1”, altering the Individual Playback Speed of that particular macro, or adding timing delays.

Windows key not working

If the Windows key has stopped working, you may have accidentally enabled Game Mode. Check the “G” LED indicator in the upper right corner of the right key module and use the shortcut SmartSet + F11 to disable Game Mode.

Erase a macro or remap

To erase a remap, tap the Remap key and then tap the key you would like reset twice. To erase a macro, tap the Macro key, then tap the macro trigger key(s), then tap the Macro key again to record an empty macro.

Status Report not working

There are several reasons why the Status Report may not be working. 1) You remapped the F7 key to a new action. Solution: Tap the Remap key and then double-tap F7 to restore the default action. 2) You have enabled Program Lock. Solution: Hold the SmartSet Key, Shift and tap “L” to unlock the onboard commands. 3) The Status Report is disabled when NKRO mode is active and the Status Report playback speed is set to 4. Solution: Set your Status Report Playback Speed to 3. Hold SmartSet and Shift and then tap F7, then tap “3”.

CONTACT TECH SUPPORT

For troubleshooting, technical questions, repairs, and upgrades please use the link below. We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible during normal business hours.

If you need help immediately, please review the Troubleshooting Tips and FAQs at left, or download the User Manual.

Firmware Updates

VERSION 1.0.372

1) All the changes in Version 1.0.101 below plus…

2) Enhanced macro flexibility. For those users who require more than 24 macros per layout, download and install firmware v1.0.372 which allows you to program up to 7,200 marco characters per layout, which translates to 24 full-length macros (~300 characters), 100 shorter macros (~72 characters), or anything in between. *Note: The SmartSet App will warn you not to exceed the 24 macro limit but this notification can be safely ignored.

VERSION 1.0.101

2) Two powerful new macro tools: 1) Random Delays and 2) Custom Delays. Currently these tools can only be accessed by direct editing layout files (NOT VIA THE SMARTSET APP). Remember to “Eject” the drive in File Manager after direct editing before you unmount the v-Drive.

Random Delay: Simply insert the token {dran} into a position in a macro to introduce a variable delay between 1ms and 150ms. Each time the macro plays back it will have slightly different timing.

Custom Delay: To create a delay of any length between 1ms and 999ms, simply insert the token {dXXX} where “XXX” is the length of the delay (e.g. {d050} for a 50ms delay).

VERSION 1.0.66 (Default)

Installing a Firmware Update

Step 1) Open a text editing program and run a Status Report (SmartSet + F7) to confirm the currently installed version of firmware.

Step 2) If you would like to install a different firmware version, use one of the links above to download a firmware update file to your computer (unzip if necessary).

Step 3) Use the onboard shortcut (SmartSet + F8) to open the keyboard’s v-Drive.

Step 4) Use file explorer to locate and open the “FS EDGE” removable drive on your computer.

Step 5) Copy and paste the firmware update file you downloaded into the “firmware” subfolder on the “FS EDGE” removable drive.

Step 6) Rename the firmware file “update.upd”.

Step 7) Use the onboard firmware update shortcut (SmartSet + Shift + U) to install the new firmware. NOTE: The update process will take 10-12 seconds. Do not type on the keyboard until the all the lights come back on.

Step 8) Open a text editing program and run a Status Report (SmartSet + F7) to confirm the new firmware was installed.

SmartSet App Download

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The App will not run from your computer. It must be saved to the top-level of the v-Drive ON THE KEYBOARD. Non-US users: The App requires that your computer is running the US keyboard driver.

Windows

Your Freestyle Edge is pre-loaded with the Windows version of the SmartSet App. Simply open the v-Drive to launch it. Use this download only if you need to re-install the App on the v-Drive.

Mac OS X

Linux

Many Linux users have reported successfully using Wine to run the Windows version of the App. Note: Wine and other such programs are 3rd party applications which have not been tested by Kinesis and are not supported, use at your own risk. If you are a talented developer, you can access the source code on GitHub and design your own App.

Step 4) Copy and paste the App to top level of the v-Drive. Then double-click the App to run it.

MAC TROUBLESHOOTING: If you receive an error message saying that the App has been “damaged”, make sure you verified the App from your Mac before copying it to the v-Drive (step 3 above).

Alternate Layouts

Download the appropriate text file below and save it to the Layouts subfolder on the v-Drive of your Freestyle Edge. Rename the file as “layout1.txt” or “layout2.txt” etc. to assign it to Layout position 1 thru 9. Close the v-Drive and then use to the onboard shortcut (SmartSet + Number) to load that layout to access it.